Alex Foxen and Phil Ivey Clash at WSOP Heads-up Championship

There is no hiding place at the WSOP Heads-Up Championship, and last night saw Alex Foxen and Phil Ivey cross swords as the field of 64 was whittled down to just 16 contenders.

Event #7, the $25,000 buy-in Heads Up Championship is considered one of the most coveted crowns of the summer, and this year the 64 starting spots was oversubscribed.

Among the contenders who gained a spot in the draw, Purple Heart recipient John Smith who has twice previously made it to the final, though losing both times. Unfortunately for the veteran, this time he ran into Chance Kornuth and bowed out in round 1.

Others in the field included the Foxens, and both made it through the round of 64. The round of 32, however, saw mixed fortunes, Kristen falling to Richard Green, while husband Alex faced the mighty Phil Ivey…

Old guard vs New guard.@philivey and @WAFoxen battled in Round 2 of Event #7: $25K Heads-Up.

Foxen wins this round, but history tells us that Ivey will be back for more heads-up action next year. #WSOP2025 pic.twitter.com/WTXQ7IDter

— WSOP – World Series of Poker (@WSOP) May 31, 2025

The marquee pick of the second-round matchups was a to-and-fro battle of wits. Ivey took an early lead when a turned set of queens outdid Foxen’s two pair. Foxen fought back and eventually ground down the old-school legend. The end came in the hand below…

Phil Ivey: K♠ 4♥
Alex Foxen: A♦ 2♠

Ivey was all-in with his remaining fumes but there was to be no reprieve…

Flop: J♥ 10♦ 5♣

Turn: 8♥

River: 8♦

Keating KO’d, Pads Progresses

Alan Keating is another name never far from the headlines, the highstakes cash game reg respondingto a challenge from Daniel Negreanu to show up and put up against tournament players.

Keating did show up (while a busy Negreanu didn’t) but although he made it through round 1 against Andrew “Lucky Chewy” Lichtenberger, he then came unstuck against David Chen.

A rather bizarre end to that match came when he shipped his last 9BBs blind. Chen, with a hand, naturally looked him up…

Alan Keating: 8♣ 3♣
David Chen: K♦ 8♥

“Oh, we’re in bad shape,” said Keating as the cards were tabled.

Flop: 10♣ 4♠ 2♠

Turn: 4♥

River: J♠

English pro Patrick Leonard was another going strong in the hunt for the $500,000 top prize (and, of course, the gold bracelet). Leonard defeated Linglin Zeng in round 1 then faced Brock Wilson in round 2.

An early lead stretched out and the finale soon appeared…

Brock Wilson: K♥ 5♦
Patrick Leonard: 9♠ 9♦

Flop: 7♥ 6♥ 3♣

With an overcard and a straight draw, Wilson check-raised all-in. Leonard called, a place in the last 16 beckoning…

Turn: 2♣

River: 6♣

Others to make it through were Martin Zamani (of Bryn Kenney/frog poison fame), Russian beast Artur Martirosian, Brazilian star Joao Vieira and Kevin Rabichow. One more win will see the remaining eight lock up an $86,000 min. cash.

Final 16 Pairings

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Andrew Burnett

Professional Poker Journalist

An avid poker player, he dreams of one day playing the WSOP Main Event and has promised himself he will fold aces and kings if he gets them on the first hand to avoid front-page headlines. [more]